“You trying to make me pretty for the cameras?” he asked with a grin.
She whipped around to catch the photographer behind them, then looked back at Nash, tilting her head at him with a reproachful look. “Was that your big finale?” she asked dryly.
Not even close.
“Hmm.” He kissed the tip of her nose this time. “Just trying to make sure that guy can bring home the bacon to his family tonight.”
“How charitable,” Emily said. Sucking in her breath, she scooted back into her seat, picking up Lizardman. Nash took that as his cue to close the door between them. He headed for the driver’s seat, even more excited to spend this week with the enthralling Emily.
West hadn’t been surprised when Nash had asked him to call the widow to make up another room for Emily. He only looked smug. Nash hoped that his brother was only being altruistic, but that was a little out of character. Actually, a lot out of character.
What did West get out of his brother hanging out with River Mackenzie’s kid sister? Nash decided to forget that for the time being. He was going to enjoy this time that he had. Climbing into the driver’s seat, he looked over at Emily. Her lipstick was smeared. Her cheeks were rosy.
Good.
Now it was time to cleanherup. Leaning over the console, he reached over Lizardman’s head to fix her lips with his thumb. They lifted up at the corners in response, though she didn’t say anything. Her hazel eyes watched him expectantly. Her breath was warm against his skin, though it briefly caught when they locked gazes.
Lizardman’s head popped up between them and Nash got a long doggy tongue slobbering down his face. He grimaced and pulled back to the tune of Emily’s laughter. “He’s just trying to help you out,” she said.
“Thanks Lizardman. I think I’ve got it.” Glancing up at the rearview mirror, he saw that Emily had cleaned off the worst of it. Smirking, he peeled out of her driveway.
There was plenty of time to prove to Emily that he wanted her, and even better? He wouldn’t have to worry about any cameras trying to capture his every move. He would have her to himself.
The drive to Millie’s ranch was about forty miles away from Kingstone Springs. Taking Highway 70, he pumped up the country music and sped for their destination. Road trips had a calming effect on him, and he let himself get lost in the ribbon of gray leading to the back country of Tennessee.
Occasionally, Emily would sing to the radio. Her voice was sweet with just enough character added into the mix to make every song all her own. No wonder her brother had encouraged her to go after her career, though a part of Nash wished that she didn’t have to play so many media tricks to do it.
Once they hit the dirt roads, the pickup bumped and bounced, and even became airborne over the rocks and loose mud, throwing them up and down in their seats.
Emily clutched to Lizardman, smiling over at Nash. “Did anyone tell you that you’d be a great off-road racer?”
“I’ve done it a few times, and yeah.” He winked at her. “I’m great.”
She laughed as they entered a forest of elms and oaks. The trail to the widow’s home had been cut through the thick foliage, and he noticed a few pines with a lake shining through the leaves. Limestone bluffs guarded the road from the other side. Nash couldn’t ask for a more a scenic background for winning Emily’s affection.
After about fifteen minutes of driving down windy roads, they broke into a clearing with a magnificent home set on a hill surrounded by green pasture and white picket fences. The sun glinted off the windshield from a clear blue sky. It was a perfect day to celebrate the Fourth of July. The only thing missing was the savory smoke scenting the air from a good old-fashioned barbecue.
They parked near a spacious garage and took a deep breather, staring around at this paradise that they’d entered. Millie’s home was three stories of architecture from the turn of the century, with pillars and wraparound porches. Gardens that were both natural and cultivated wrapped around the house, leading into a ravine that promised further greenery below. A stream ran past the house into a gully, hinting that this part of the ranch was the only civilized place for miles. The rest of this ranch was a mixture of meadow, forest, and mountain. An idyllic utopia.
“You’re working out a deal to buy this place?” Emily asked.
“Yeah, they’re thinking resorts.” And maybe casinos if their lobbyists had their way. He didn’t want to talk about that. Shoving open the door to his pickup, he headed for her luggage. Bluffing that it was lighter than it actually was, he dragged it out of the bed in the back with a casual look.
A little boy appeared at his elbow with straight black hair. “I can get that.”
“Uh.” Emily’s luggage probably weighed more than this kid. “Let me see what I have for you.”
The boy looked to be about seven with all those missing teeth. He eagerly followed Nash around the pickup. “My nanna lives here. Are you her friend?”
“Well…” He’d officially stumped Nash. “We’re working together.”
Emily came out of the truck. “Hey, there, little man. What’s your name?”
“Dakota. I live with my nanna.” The kid reminded him a little of his own nephews with his helpful chatter, but with big black eyes and an olive complexion. “Nanna made cookies today. You want some?”
“That sounds amazing,” Emily said, dimpling. She caught eyes with Nash, and for a moment he was frozen with the desire to take her in his arms and show her just what sort of trip he wanted this to be.
The kid tugged on the ends of Nash’s tee shirt to steal back his attention. Clearing his throat, Nash rummaged through the back of his truck and found a pillow to hand to his little helper. The boy clutched tightly to it just as Lizardman careened out of the pickup. Dakota dropped the pillow onto the dusty gravel with a loud cry. “You have a dog! Is he nice? Good boy!”